CA 
HISTORY OF ENGLAND 
[1346 
long-bow and heavy arrows tipped with barbs of steel. 
Long practice enabled them to use this weapon with fatal 
effect at three hundred yards, while 
at close range the knights’. armour 
was no protection against its deadly 
force, 
The English army was drawn up in 
three divisions. Two divisions formed 
the line of battle, and the third was 
kept in the rear as a reserve. Ed- 
Barrıe or Crtocy ward dismounted his knights and 
placed them among the archers with levelled spears. 
Philip sent the Genoese crossbowmen forward to open the 
battle, but a heavy rain had just wet their bowstrings and 
made their weapons uscless. The 
English, who had kept their bows 
in leather cases, drove them back 
with a flight of arrows. “Kill me 
those scoundrels!” cried Philip, 
who. took their forced retreat for 
cowardice. The French knights 
charged upon the poor Genoese 
and cut them down in order to 
clear the way for their attack 
upon the English. On came the 
knights in a furious assault, each 
trying to outride the others, in 
order to be in the van, the place 
of honour, But they went down 
by thousands before the archers 
and spearmen, while the Welsh, 
4 GENorsE CrossBowMan With their long knives, went over 
Winding up or bendine his crossbow £ha field and despatched those 
who were wounded or entangled by their armour or horses. 
King Edward’s eldest son, the Black Prince, commanded 
che right wing. In the thick of the ficht a messenger came 
ic Edward for assistance. 
‘Is the prince dead or wounded?” asked the king. 
“Nc, sire; but he is hard pressed and needs your help.” 
Anadir-